News

Police remind shoppers to keep handbags safe following theft

POLICE are again reminding shoppers to always keep an eye on their purses and handbags following a theft outside a Cirencester supermarket last week.

At approximately 10.30am on Wednesday April 11 an 83-year-old woman was outside Waitrose on Sheep Street in Cirencester when she was approached by a man who asked her for directions.

A short while later she discovered that her debit and credit cards had been stolen from her purse and £300 taken using the card.

It’s thought that the women had been intentionally distracted so the cards could be stolen.

Police have issued a number of warnings following similar incidents across the county over the last few months and Crime Prevention Officer for the county, Paul Francis, has continued to remind the
public to be cautious.

He said: “It is a natural reaction to help someone who appears to be lost. Sadly, as has been seen in recent incidents, offenders are taking advantage of this eagerness to help and sadly they seem
to be targeting the elderly.

“I continue to urge people to ensure they can always see their valuables, especially where someone appears to be distracting them with a map.”

Anyone with any information about the theft is asked to contact Gloucestershire Police on 101, quoting incident number 213 of
April 11.

You can also give information anonymously by contacting the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via